All about New Borns

Random Facts all over the internet for those expecting mothers! :)

Newborn necessities checklist

A master list for moms and dads

Breast or Bottle?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other professional groups concerned with the care of newborns advocate breastfeeding as best for your baby. Specifically, the AAP recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for about the first 6 months. Following the introduction of solid foods, breastfeeding should continue through the first year of life and beyond, if desired.

Breastfeeding may not be possible or preferable for all women. Deciding to breastfeed or bottle-feed a baby is usually based on the mother's comfort level with breastfeeding as well as her lifestyle, but breastfeeding may not be recommended for some mothers and babies. If you have any questions about whether to breastfeed your child, talk to your pediatrician.

Remember, your baby's nutritional and emotional needs will be met whether you choose to breastfeed or formula-feed.

Feed your baby on demand. Most newborns breast-feed eight to 12 times a day — about every two to three hours. Within two to three months, your baby may be satisfied with six to eight feedings a day. Eventually your baby will fall into a fairly predictable feeding schedule, taking in more milk in less time at each feeding. If you feed your baby formula, you'll need to feed a little less often because formula digests more slowly than breast milk does.

More facts and information -- remember, the section below is a must read!

1. Does your baby sleep well at night > http://bit.ly/bphhi

2. The importance of sleep > http://bit.ly/1X5IGX

3. Growth and Sleep > http://bit.ly/1lmHv7

4. Bedtime Home > http://bit.ly/309DYn

5. Bedtime Routine > http://bit.ly/4fJcjU

6. Sleep toolbox > http://bit.ly/Bo1FR

The Right Way To Bond With Babies

What is bonding?

Bonding is the intense attachment that develops between parents and their baby. It makes parents want to shower their baby with love and affection and to protect and nourish their little one. Bonding gets parents up in the middle of the night to feed their hungry baby and makes them attentive to the baby's wide range of cries.

Bonding is a process, not something that takes place within minutes and not something that has to be limited to happening within a certain time period after birth. For many parents, bonding is a byproduct of everyday care giving. You may not even know it's happening until you observe your baby's first smile and suddenly realize that you're filled with love and joy.

The Ways Babies Bond
1. Touch becomes an early language as babies respond to skin-to-skin contact. It's soothing for both you and your baby while promoting your baby's healthy growth and development. (read more here)
2. Eye-to-eye contact provides meaningful communication at close range.
3. Babies can follow moving objects with their eyes.
4. Your baby tries — early on — to imitate your facial expressions and gestures.
5. Babies prefer human voices and enjoy vocalizing in their first efforts at communication.

Babies often enjoy just listening to your conversations, as well as your descriptions of their activities and environments.

Early bonding activities that both mom and dad can experience together include:
1. participating together in labor and delivery
2. feeding (breast or bottle); sometimes dad forms a special bond with baby when handling a middle-of-the-night feeding and diaper change
3. reading or singing to baby
4. sharing a bath with baby
5. mirroring baby's movements
6. mimicking baby's cooing and other vocalizations — the first efforts at communication
7. using a front baby carrier during routine activities
8. letting baby feel the different textures of dad's face

Source: (read more here)

5 Steps To Help Baby Sleep Well

Mark Twain once said, “I have never taken exercise except sleeping and resting.” While this is true for most of us (heh), it is especially true for sleeping babies. Sleep produces 3x the growth hormones for a baby's tiny body!!!

For new mothers, there is nothing more comforting than watching the baby sleeping. Not just because she doesn't have to put up with the crying --- it also creates relief for the mom, fully knowing that a sleeping baby equates to someone capable enough to provide comfort to a tiny newborn baby --- she's doing something right.

To help you get from fully awake baby to comfortable sleeping baby, here are a couple of tips:

1. Create a Bedtime Routine. Filipino babies clock in among lowest in sleep time compared to other Asian/Caucasian babies. Setting a nightly routine should help the baby realize that it's about time to sleep.

2. A Clean Baby = Baby Sleeping. A warm gentle bath right before sleep should help the sleeping baby from getting itchy at night, causing night time awakening.

3. A Relaxed Baby = Baby Sleeping. After drying the baby after the bath, lay the baby down on a flat surface and start giving downward strokes, from the chest, the arms, the legs. Touch Therapy has been proven to contribute to a baby's healthy growth.

4. A Dry Baby = Baby Sleeping. Put on a comfy diaper or lampin, some nice soft clean clothes on the baby. If the baby is dry during sleep, it may help prolong sleeping time.

5. Sing a lullaby, rock the baby, gentle/quiet time. Bond with the baby! Introduce bedtime stories or lullabies to help put the baby at ease just right before sleeping. Rock the baby gently to maybe help get to sleep. This may vary from parent-to-parent (or baby-to-baby) but overall, this 5th step is for getting the baby to go to sleep.

Follow these steps and notice how much longer you could watch the baby sleeping. Maybe even take pictures (without flash!) to keep for memories.